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Bradley
M2A2 AIFV Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle |
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The
M2A2 Bradley AIFV (Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle) was introduced
in the U.S. Army in 1988, it's an improved version of the standard vehicle
Bradley M2A1. The improvements include the following:
enhanced vehicle survivability by restowing ammunition; internal armour
protection of key components; spall liners and mounting provisions for
improved vehicle smoke screening; additional armour protection including
additional armour for the hull and turret; a ballistic shroud provided
for the commander's back-up sight; and improved drive train and suspension.
The U.S. Army has also upgraded the earlier M2A1s to M2A2 standard.
After Operation Desert Storm (First Gulf War in 1991), the M2A2 was
upgraded again with the addition of an eye-safe carbon dioxide laser
rangefinder, global positioning system and compass, combat identification
system, and thermal viewer for the driver. The 1423 M2A2 Bradleys brought
up to this standard were referred to as M2A2ODS
(Operation Desert Storm).
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| Variants |
-
Bradley
M2: The basic production model, first fielded in 1981
- Bradley
M2A1: It's a further development of the standard vehicle
Bradley M2 with an improved ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) launcher,
with greater accuracy and new sight system.
- Bradley M2A2: Introduced in 1988, new engine, new
armour with protection against 30 mm APDS rounds and RPGs (or similar
anti-armor weapons).
- Bradley
M2A3: Introduced in 2000, the A3 upgrades make the Bradley
IFV totally digital and upgrade or improve existing electronics systems
throughout improving target acquisition and fire control, navigation,
and situational awareness. Also, the survivability of the vehicle is
upgraded with a series of armor improvements, again both passive and
reactive, as well as improved fire-suppression systems and NBC equipment.
- Bradley
BCP: The Bradley BCP is a Command Post tracked armoured
vehicle based on the chassis of the armoured infantry fighting vehicle
Bradley.
- Bradley M6 Linebacker: The Bradley-Linebacker Short-Range
Air Defense (SHORAD) system is essentially a United Defense Bradley
infantry fighting vehicle with the twin Raytheon Systems Company TOW
anti-tank guided missile system replaced by a pod containing four Stinger
fire-and-forget Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM).
- Bradley M7 FIST: Bradley FIST (Fire Support Team)
vehicle for the US Army field artillery.
- Bradley AMEV: The Bradley AMEV delivers life-saving
combat medical support and protection for casualties, evacuees and combat
medics, while providing mobility and survivability equal to the supported
Abrams and Bradley-equipped maneuver force.
- Bradley AMTV: The Bradley AMTV provides combat medical
support to the Heavy Brigade Combat Team. The AMTV provides the capability
to emplace forward surgical teams closer to the point of injury, allowing
advanced trauma management and intervention treatment on today’s
battlefield.
- Bradley Mortar Vehicle: The Bradley Mortar Vehicle’s
large interior volume enables the vehicle to carry up to 115 rounds
of 120mm mortars, which facilitates the crew’s ability to provide
a longer duration of sustainable fires.
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| Technical
Data |
 Back
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| Armament |
The
M2A2 Bradley has exactly the same armament as the previous version
Bradley
M2A1. The M2A2 Bradley is armed with an ATK Gun
Systems Company M242 25 mm Bushmaster Chain Gun with a 7.62
mm M240C machine gun mounted coaxially to the right of the main
armament. A total of eight smoke grenade launchers are mounted
on the forward part of the turret, four to each side of the
main armament. The Javelin anti-tank missile replaced the earlier
Dragon in the M2A2 restow, and five TOWs or three TOWs and two
Javelins could be carried.
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| Design
and protection |
The
layout of the M2A2 Bradley is similar to the standard version
of Bradley
M2A1. The Bradley M2A2 is fitted with new additional
armour. Armor plates have been added to the front and the side
of the hull. Armor plates were also added lo the turret for
increased protection. Internally, ammunition, mines and flares
have been relocated to the lower and rear portions of the hull
to reduce their exposure to enemy fire. Rigid Kevlar blankets,
called spall liners, have also been fitted to the inside to
stop armor spall, bullets and fragments from flying around the
interior with devastating effects. The infantry firing ports
in the hull sides were covered by the new applique armor, however
the two in the rear ramp were retained. The protective cover
was omitted from the M240C machine gun and a semicircular shield
was attached to the turret rear to add more stowage space as
well as act as spaced armor. These armor and internal improvements
have resulted in an increase in weight for the Bradley from
25 to 33 tons. The new armor protects the Bradley against 30
mm APDS rounds and RPGs (or similar anti-tank weapons). The
infantry squad was increased again to seven men, six of which
sat facing each other on two 3-man benches in the passenger
compartment. The seventh man sat just behind the driver like
in the M2 or M2A1 seating arrangements.
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| Mobility |
The
Bradley M2A2 is motorized with new powerful engine Cummins VTA-903
developing 600 hp compared with 500 hp of the original production
vehicle to handle the increased weight of the vehicle. The Bradley
M2A2 is upgraded with a new transmission and the intake air
cleaner expanded to accommodate the additional airflow requirements
of the more powerful engine. A larger exhaust pipe has been
installed and modifications have also been made to the existing
air muffler. Stronger torsion bars were added to the suspension
to handle the increased weight.
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| Accessories |
Standard equipment are the same as the version of Bradley
M2A1. The M2A2 was qualified to be transported
by the C-17 Globemaster III. Wire cutters were added in front
of the driver's position, and a cover was placed over the periscopes
in his hatch. A maintenance stand was stowed on the hull left
side. This was used when working on the engine since the M2A2
was built without a trim vane, which had previously provided
a handy place to stand.
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The main recognition feature of the M2A3 is the Commander's
Independent Viewer (CIV), at the right rear of the turret.
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| Specifications |
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Armament |
| One
25mm M242 cannon, one 7.62mm M240C coaxial machine
gun, 2 TOW launchers and 2x4 smoke grenade launchers |
Country
user |
| United
States |
Designer
Country |
| United
States
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Accessories |
NBC
protection system, thermal night vision, automatic
fire extinguishers |
Crew
+ Troop seating |
3
+ 6 soldiers |
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Armor |
| Spaced
laminate armor. RPG and 30 mm APDS all around
protection (with armor upgrades) and shell splinters
155mm |
Weight |
27,000
kg |
Speed |
56
km/h maximum speed on road, 6.4 km/h on water |
Range |
400 km
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Dimensions
max. |
Lenght,
6.55 m; Width, 3.28 m; Height, 2.97 m |
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| Back
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Bradley
M2A2 Armoured Infantry fighting vehicle |
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Bradley
M2A2ODS Operation Desert Storm Infantry fighting vehicle |
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